Inspection shows problems with breached levee

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. (AP) -- The Army Corps of Engineers is releasing details from a report that shows a breached levee just south of Poplar Bluff failed a 2008 inspection.

Corps spokesman P.J. Spaul said Wednesday there were buildings -- including at least one house -- on the levee along the Black River. The inspector also found pits where soil had been excavated near the base, contributing to dirt sliding down the side.

Roads and cattle trails had created low spots, and the levee was covered with "significant vegetation" that included trees.

Also, flooding in spring 2008 created seven breaches, and some were unfixed by the time of the inspection later that year.

Spaul says the private levee district was unable to make all the repairs. Officials with the district haven't returned phone calls.